Albert Sumner “Al” Oster

Albert Sumner ‘Al’ Oster, Hebrew Avrohom Shlomo, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, passed away tragically March 4, 2024. Born in Brooklyn, NY on February 22, 2000, growing up in KY and ultimately relocated to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware his final home and resting place on his way to become a Blue Hen. Al was a son of Alan Stuart and Paula Ann Oster and brother of Aaron Samuel Hebrew Aharon Shmuel Oster. Albert was a full-time student majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science at the University of Delaware so close to graduation and fulfilling his dream to pursue a career in law with a passion to equalize legal inequalities and effectuate justice for all.

Al or Big Al as he was affectionately known, or alternatively as the Osterizer due to his athleticism, possessed a presence larger than life, but the largest and most pure part of him was always his heart. At over 6’6”, still growing and developing physically and finding his way as a young man he had blossomed into an intellectually curious, academically driven young man who was determined to make a positive difference in the world. Al was always looking for solutions to problems to make the world a better place and wanted to start an on campus wake up service so no student would miss or be late for class and when Albert put his mind to something there was nothing he could not accomplish. There were glimmers of the greatest potential truly Al had so much promise. Despite his solemn, simple, very humble upbringing and nature Al was a quick witted and humorous deep thinker who could evoke the most profound philosophical and heartfelt conversations so much that a mutually intriguing academic and personal encounter with the UD Philosophy Department spawned a personal invite to consider philosophy as part of his major. Albert could bring about provocative thought, reflection, reason, laughter and comic relief in even the most difficult situations.

Always placing others before himself Al was a tender, sensitive caring soul who loved and felt deeply for others as one of his many best character traits. He always seemed to be able to sense when someone else was in pain or struggling, even if he didn’t know you, and would know exactly what to say or do to make you feel better. He would stop to talk to the downtrodden loitering at convenience stores and gas stations where they hung out asking for money and inspired and talked to them about their lives. Always placing others before himself Al leaves both us, UD and this world a better place. Using humor as a means to uplift Al was loyal to a fault, supportive and showed up for his friends and family in any time of need. His compassion for others’ pain and struggles was only matched by his gentle compassion for animals and his desire to help make a positive impact on them and the world, which truly defined his character. Albert loved his family, friends, pets and animals fiercely but gently and never missed an opportunity to tell them and show his love to them and all animals with his tender head resting embraces, especially the strays.

An all-around great guy, Al enjoyed chess, was dedicated to physical fitness, weight lifting and enjoyed all sports, especially basketball and skiing. With Albert’s size, strength, and skill, his athleticism and basketball abilities were extraordinary. Al led his high school varsity basketball team to the state championships, played briefly during college and was involved with the intramural teams at UD. He was lauded ‘most improved player’ in high school and newspapers highlighted and celebrated “Getting Osterized”, as he could be relied upon to score record breaking points in key competitive games. He used to teach basketball skills at summer camps in KY and also played basketball with his brother and friends whenever and wherever they could. Al was a standout team player on the basketball court and similarly in his career could have dominated with his clever, creative, compelling, charismatic arguments as an attorney in a court of law.

In his spare time, he liked to play video games, especially Clash Royale, where he was an accomplished player at an elite level, cuddling with his dogs and being near the beach. Most of all Al loved hanging out with his brother and friends watching memes and other funny videos. They loved to laugh at funny jokes and edgy humor and roasting each other. Al loved to laugh and it is in the simplest of moments together in Rehoboth with Al hanging out with his brother and friends and hearing his laughter and laughing together, watching and sharing funny videos, memes, funny jokes and hilariously roasting together that we will love, remember, treasure and miss him the most. Albert’s words during challenging times were to conclude that “at least we have each other” and in the end we realize this is really what matters most. As his family we will hold a part of him in all we do.

Al had a tremendous work ethic his first job was at McDonalds and Bojangles in KY then he worked as a lifeguard in Rehoboth Beach and a server and host at the Moorings Assisted Living Center, Saketumi, Rehoboth Diner and Ruby Tuesdays, near UD but was always eager to give help or work in any capacity, from pruning trees, cleaning pools, home maintenance, walking dogs to weeding. He was always helpful and humble.

Al was a beautiful, tender and highly sensitive caring soul who always placed others before himself. Though he left this world too soon, he left it a better place. Al wanted to make a difference in this world by helping others and was really just a kind, pure and beautiful loving soul with unlimited potential still just growing, developing and realizing his life as it ended much too soon.

Law always held a certain fascination for Albert but it was really a legal tragedy during his childhood that inspired him to pursue a career in the field. With his degree, Al’s passion was to help others balance legal inequalities and especially help children involved in complex custody matters to avoid the same heartache he endured. In doing so, it is essential for children to receive timely and continuous ongoing mental health support as trauma in childhood is linked to the likelihood of substance use, which Al later struggled with to cope. Instead of planning to celebrate his graduation, we are planning a funeral and his family is heartbroken and shattered with unimaginable and unbearable grief.

Tell someone you love them today because tomorrow is not promised. May we preserve Albert’s spirit by always looking in on, caring for, and elevating each other in the UD community and beyond. To his friends and family, Al loves you. Albert attended both Hebrew school and Bible School and deeply loved G_d. May Albert feel our love and our G_d, his father in heaven, wrap his loving arms around Al with wholly perfect love and peace and may Al feel that love and peace forever, as we love and miss him, always. Albert we are so very proud of you for everything you were and could have become and will carry a part of you with us on earth to create good in this world as you intended until we meet again.

Al was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents. He is survived by his father, Alan Oster and his wife, Jade; mother, Paula Oster; siblings, Aaron Oster, Harrison T. Oster, Lila C. Oster, Alyssa S. Oster, and Evelette E. Oster; aunts, Kimberly Parasher and Deborah Gerondis; cousin, Kiran Parasher; and many extended family members and close friends from his hometown.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will be held privately.

Any loved ones who are unable to attend the service for Al may live stream the service by clicking here.

A memorial event will be planned on campus later this spring. In addition, a memorial fund will be established to erect a healing garden or gathering place “Al’s Home of Hope” to establish a supportive safe haven for students going through any storm to unify, process trauma and seek support amongst each other.